No Bake Chocolate Coconut Oatmeal Bars
Cuddles, Coconut and Chocolate, three of my favourite c-words, they all have that special way of instantly making you feel better; instantly giving you those warm fuzzy feelings of comfort. They are especially warming to the heart when you have not been feeling that great. Which was me the last couple of days, I have been home under the weather cuddling my little chai-man and waiting for the moment I wanted chocolate again (it is normally the first naughty thing I crave after not feeling well). I knew exactly what I was going to make, they take no time and are perfect for when you are just starting to feel like yourself again.
Dreams of these delicious nuggets might just have helped the "get better" process move along that much more quickly too.
I love easy, healthy treats, I mean who doesn’t really?? And these raw chocolate coconut oatmeal bars couldn’t come any easier. I sometimes call them Chocolate Sink Bars because literally you can throw anything you want into them, kinda like your kitchen sink after dinner.
They only take about 10-15 minutes to make and I have no doubt people will be rapping “she’s so fancyyy” in your ears because they come out looking pretty fancy for the 10 minutes you spend on them. Plus you can sing back “I already knowww it” because who doesn’t love getting down in the kitchen with some rappin'.
*Side note: Not going to lie I rapped those lyrics the entire time I made these little morsels, a little lot of dancing might have occurred too. Busted some moves, busted some moves….
no bake chocolate coconut oatmeal bars
ingredients
1 ½ cups dark chocolate (65% or higher)
1 cup of peanut butter
1/2 cup of coconut oil
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
1 tsp of vanilla
2 cups of rolled oats
1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup of dried blueberries
1/2 cup of dried cranberries
1/2 cup of hazelnuts
1/2 cup of almonds
1/2 cup of walnuts
directions
Heat the oven to 325 degrees.
Chop up the nuts and spread them onto a baking sheet with the coconut. Toast for about 5-10 minutes (make sure you watch this carefully, both can burn quickly).
In a sauce pan melt the coconut oil, peanut butter, honey and vanilla together. Add the chocolate into a small heat proof bowl. Once the coconut oil, peanut butter, honey and vanilla are melted pour over the chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk together to smooth out the melted chocolate.
Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper
Throw all of the dry ingredients (toasted coconut and nuts included) into a large bowl and pour the peanut butter and chocolate mixture over. Mix until it all comes together and spread evenly onto the pan. Sprinkle some extra coconut on top.
Let the bars sit in the fridge until they become hard and enjoy.
These keep great in the freezer as well, take one out about 10-15 minutes before you want one and you have a tasty treat on hand all the time.
Like I said you can throw anything you want into these and it would taste great, maybe almond butter instead of peanut butter, chia seeds, gogi berries, different nuts or no nuts, really anything. I would recommend toasting the coconut I have made them both ways and it just adds that extra coconutty flavour.
I hope you all enjoy what looks like is going to be a beautiful weekend on the west coast filled with sunshine, and hopefully some chocolate in your case.